-Week 2 Report-

Miss Xie  Location: New Mexico

    When I first arrived, I was a bit nervous because suddenly everyone around me was foreign, and their English accents were hard to understand. However, when I got back to my dorm, my host was incredibly kind—they prepared small snacks as a welcome gift and treated me to an authentic local meal. I looked forward to what was ahead!

    A small hiccup occurred after arrival: my China-issued credit card didn’t work here, so I had to pay with cash temporarily. I hoped to get a local banking card soon! All in all, I really enjoyed my time here.

Mr. Huang  Location: WI

    This week marked my official start at work. The scorching sun beat down as the sharp scent of disinfectant mingled with the greasy sweetness of sunscreen in the sweltering air. I was scheduled for late shifts all week, so I didn’t need to wake up early. But if my break missed the cafeteria hours, I had to wait until the water park closed at 9:30 PM to eat back at the dorm.

    I now have colleagues from Uzbekistan, Thailand, Ecuador, and Jamaica. As a lifeguard, my job involved rotating patrols between different pools—it wasn’t exhausting but kept me busy. On my day off, I explored the area with a few Chinese friends. We had coffee at Starbucks and sampled dishes at local restaurants—a perfect way to unwind after the workdays.

Mr. WU Location:VA

    By the second week in the U.S., I had fully settled into life there. Outside work hours, I had gotten into the routine of exercising two hours daily. On my days off, I explored shopping malls and similar spots.

    My job also stabilized—though I was initially assigned to different pools on rotation, I later became fixed at one pool for internship.

    The pool owner was exceptionally kind. He would drop by daily to greet us lifeguards, and whenever he cooked something delicious, he brought some for us to try. He also held a positive view of China. One day, he specially came to hand me a two-dollar bill—small in value but rare with collectible significance.

    Everyone there was warm and friendly. Both our employer and colleagues offered enthusiastic help, creating a joyful atmosphere. We often held small parties in the dorm, which not only helped us relax but also deepened our mutual understanding. Such days filled me with anticipation!